History, Myth, Legend & Lore:

Egyptians, 4000 B.C. - mined stone between Mt. Sinai and the Suez - carved into amulets and scarabs and used as protective stone for children.  When tied to a cradle, all evil was kept away and the child slept soundly.  Engraving the sun's image protects the wearer from the spells of the evil eye.  The sun serves as natural enemy to darkness and protection against venomous creatures. Egyptians hieroglyphs describe malachite as an integral part of their deities' existence. 

The stone is thought to have been the: "Green bed of the sun, Horus on his green and the malachite lakes in which the gods were sometimes said to dwell".

Egyptians Text - mentions a ring of Mafek which later period in Egyptian history Mafek maybe denoted as beryl. 

Mosaic Times - in an effort to determine the Shoham Stone used, the conjecture of J.L. Myers were Malachite's seems to be in its favor as Malachite material was known to Ancient Egyptians.

Betona, Italy - Malachite was worn as an amulet to protect the wearer from the spells of the Evil Eye.  Such stones were called "peacock-stones" which has resemblance in color and marking to the peacock's tail - usually triangular mounted in silver.  As a proof of the superstitious belief - in Etruscan Tomb @ Chusi found a triangular, perforated piece of glass, each angle terminating in an eye formed of glass of various colors.  On many of the amulets fabricated in Italy for protection against the dreaded "jettatura" or against the spell of the Evil Eye then the cock's figure is carved.  In ancient times, the cock assures the protection of the sun god, and his crowing was regarded as an inarticulate hymn of praise to the deities.

Middle Ages - saw an expansion of the ancients' beliefs in the stones' power.  As an amulet (1) would turn aside fainting spells (2) prevent hernia (3) prevent injury from falls (4) powdered and mixed with milk, served as a tonic for colic and cardiac pain (5) relieved cramps and muscle aches when applied directly to the body (6) stops blood flow when mixed with honey and applied to the wound

The Speculum Lapidum of 1502 - Italian Physician, Camillus Leonardus continues to advise of Malachite's value to new mothers - defend infants from adverse casualties.  Modern midwives in Bavaria still prescribe a piece of malachite strung on the necklaces to relieve teething pain.

Modern gem therapists - suggest the stone as a protection from newer hazards and worn as a guard against the radiation generated florescent lights, computers, x-ray machines and microwaves.  It is also helpful in the treatment of asthma, arthritis, swollen joints, tumors and growths.